Once Upon a Time

In the introduction to the fairy tale (lines 1–48), how does Gordimer compare herself to other white people in South Africa?

• She is poorer than most other white people.
•  She takes more steps to protect herself.
• She has the same fears as other white people.
• She lives in a safer part of the country.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

In the fairy tale, the husband and wife fear that?

• they will not be able to find trusted servants.
• their neighbors will be jealous of them.
• their little boy will be shot at school.
• they will be attacked by people of another color

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Because burglar alarms are often set off by pet cats, people in the neighborhood?

• get rid of their cats.
• do not hear intruders breaking in
• change to better alarm systems
• pay more for insurance.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

The wife wants her housemaid to offer “bread and tea” to the unemployed people who linger on the street near the house (line 126). Why does the housemaid refuse? 

• She thinks the people will be offended if they do not offer a complete lunch.
• She does not trust the people and fears they will break into the house.
• She feels this task is beyond the scope of her duties as a housemaid.
• She is told by the husband that it is not safe to talk to the people.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

What theme does Gordimer communicate through the ending of the fairy tale?

• Animals know how to protect themselves
• Parents should not read fairy tales to their children
• Actions motivated by extreme fear can be harmful.
• Children are more open-minded than adults.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

When something distends, it gets

• bigger
• colder
• louder
• softer

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

What are intentions?

• conflicts
• methods
• plans
• warnings

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

When people act audaciously, they act?

• aimlessly
• cleverly
• boldly
• honestly

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

What is an intrusion?

• an assault
• a break-in
• an idea
• a retreat

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

When an object is serrated, it is

• bright
• flat
• jagged
• harmless

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4